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Ray City Community Library
351 Pauline Avenue
Ray City, GA 31645
(229) 455-2226
Hours of Operation:
Monday 10:30-5:30
Tuesday 10:30-5:30
Wednesday 10:30-5:00
Thursday 10:30-5:30
Friday 10:30-4:00
Schelle Meyer said,
August 16, 2011 at 12:35 am
This is my great,great,great,great uncle. I would like to get more information about him and his family.
raycityhistory said,
August 16, 2011 at 6:52 pm
Hi Shelle,
thanks for visiting the site. The Georgia WWI Memorial book gives the following information about your uncle:
“Private Bennett entered service July 16, 1918. Was attached to 2nd Company, Coastal Artillery Corps, Overseas Replacement Draft, Ft Screven, Ga. Embarked for over-sea service in September 1918. Was drowned in the sinking of the ill-fated transport ‘Otranto’ off the Scottish coast, October 6, 1918.”
There are several posts on this blog about the sinking of the Otranto, and the local men who lost their lives in that disaster.
Michael Bennett said,
February 22, 2014 at 6:16 pm
This was my Great, Great Uncle. According to my Grandfather and my Great Uncle, Marcus took the place of my Great Grandfather which was Marcus’ Brother. My Great Grandfather was married and Marcus wasn’t. So they went down to draft board and asked if Marcus could take my Great Grandfather’s place. They agreed and Marcus went in his place. Our entire family owes him a great debt of gratitude. Without that selfless act, my Great Grandfather would’ve been the one on that ship and so we would never have existed.
raycityhistory said,
February 22, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Michael, thank you for this story from your family history. My Great Uncle Ralph Knight was also a victim of the sinking of HMS Otranto. I share your gratitude for the sacrifices they made.
Jon
Lisa B :) said,
December 29, 2015 at 10:42 pm
YEP! What Michael said. My Granddaddy (Marcus Edgar Bennett) was named after his uncle Hiram Marcus. My son, Bennett, was name after my Granddaddy. Just learned about Uncle Marcus taking Poppy’s place. Great history…GRATEFUL indeed!
Tina Richardson Sirmans said,
November 11, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Was this Hiram Bennett kin to a Arlie Gwendolyn Bennett Chadwick, She had married a Lucis Bennett from Adel, Berrien Ga area. Thanks for any reply.
Tina Sirmans said,
October 13, 2018 at 8:36 pm
Wondering if his ancestry list a woman possible niece named Arlie Gwendolyn Bennett Chadwick?